Bobbin changing apparatus



Sept. '22, 1959 E. FULLER ETAL BOBBIN CHANGING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18. 1956 INVENTORS? bLLlgR BY DIETRICH ST RIKO ERNST F Sept. 22, 1959 E. FOLLER ETAL BOBBIN CHANGING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1956 m m mu K G m ON ST 0. WE Em w M x E mQE $7 wvm ATT'YS Sept. 22, 1959 E. FOLLER ETAL 2,905,402

BOBBIN CHANGING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18, 1956 s Sheets-Sheets FIG. 7

FIG. 6

INVENTORS."

F6LLER DIETRIGH sT6R|Ko 2,905,402 BOBBIN CHANGING APPARATUS Ems: Fiiller, Sulzhach (Main), and Dietrich stanko,

I (l n-Deutz, Germany, assignors to Vereinigte Gla'n'zstofi-Fabriken AG., Wuppertal-ElberEeld, Germany This invention relates to apparatus for changing bobbins on thread-winding machines.

In thread-winding machines the thread is customarily wound onto a bobbin which is rotated by frictional eng'agement with a drive roller. When the bobbin has become fully wound it is necessary to replace it with an empty bobbin. Devices designed for effecting the bobbin change usually have the winding bobbin and the empty bobbin rotatably mounted on opposite ends of a support member which is in turn rotatably mounted, although normally locked, at its center on an upstanding pivot arm. In order to change the bobbins in such a device, the upstanding arm is pivoted away from the drive roller and the full bobbin is removed sidewise from its holder. The support member is then unlocked and rotated 180. After relocking the upstanding arm is pivoted back so that the empty bobbin makes contact with the drive roller. The transfer of the thread from the full bobbin to the empty bobbin is made by hand.

Since the full bobbin must be removed before rotating the support member, the space between the bobbins in a gang must be great enough to permit sidewise removal of the full bobbin. In other words, the lateral space between bobbin positions must be at least twice the length of a bobbin plus space for the bobbin supporting structure or a total of about three times the length of a bobbin.

A further disadvantage of the foregoing device is that the entire structure must be pivotable on the upstanding arm so that the bobbin can accommodate increasing layers of thread during the winding operation. As a result great care must be exercised by the machine operator in placing a new bobbin on the non-winding end of the support member to avoid breaking the thread on the winding bobbin and otherwise interfering with the winding operation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for changing the bobbins in which the removal of the fully wound bobbin from its holder is effected in a position where there will be no interference from adjacent bobbins or bobbin supporting structure.

. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for changing the bobbins in which the bobbins are supported in such a way that the operation of the bobbin in the winding position will not be adversely affected by the handling of the bobbin in the opposite position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for changing the bobbins in which the winding bobbin is independently displaceable to accommodate increasing layers of thread.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for changing the bobbins in which the transfer of thread from a full bobbin to an empty bobbin is effected without the handling of the thread by the machine operator.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

States Patent Patented Sept. 22, 1959 application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus'embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 wherein a part of the structure has been broken away to illustrate internal parts; and

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are semi-diagrammatic side elevational views similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating operation of the apparatus.

In accordance with the invention, the objects are accomplished by an apparatus in which the bobbins are ro-. tatably mounted on upstanding arms pivotally mounted at the opposite extremities of a support member which is in turn mounted to rotate about its center. Means are provided for rotating the support member to interchange the positions of the upstanding arms and the bobbins thereon. Means are also provided for maintaining the arms in the upstanding attitude as the support member is rotated.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figs. 1 and 2 show an apparatus comprising an elongated support member 8 mounted to rotate about a stationary shaft 9 which is secured to a bracket 10. A pair of substantially upstanding (slightly inclined) arms 11 and 12 are mounted respectively on rotatable shafts 13 and 14 at opposite extremities on the support member 8. A pair of bobbins 15 and 16 are rotatably mounted on the free ends respectively of the upstanding arms 11 and 12. p The bobbin 15 is in a winding position in frictional engagement with a drive roller 17. The bobbin 16 is an empty bobbin intended as a replacement for the winding bobbin 15 When it has become fully wound. A spring-urged lock member 18 holds the support member 8 in a fixed position for the winding operation. Means for releasing the lock member 18 and means for rotating the support memher 8 are provided by a rack member 19 pivotally mounted on the bracket 10 and having a lever handle 20, a lock-releasing means 21 and a rack 22 engaging a pinion 23 rotatably associated with the support member 8. The pinion 23 has a free-wheeling association with the support member 8 whereby the pinion looks with the support member when the pinion is rotated by a downward thrust of the lever 20 on the rack member 19, and rotates freely on the support member when the pinion is rotated in the opposite direction on the return of the rack memher to its original position by a spring 24. The freewheeling arrangement may be accomplished by any conventional means such as a pawl and ratchet means wherein the pawl is pivotally attached to the support member 8 and spring-urged to engagement with a ratchet fixed to the pinion 23. Means for maintaining the arms 11 and 12 in their substantially upstanding leaning attitude are provided by a planetary system of gears including a sungear 25 which is fixed to the stationary shaft 9, a pair of planet-gears 26 and 27, and a pair of intermediate gears 28 and 28 which are engagingly interposed between the sun-gear 25 and the planet gears. All of the gears in the planetary system have an equal number of teeth, i.e. a gear ratio of 1:1. Coupling means are provided between each of the planet-gears and the upstanding arms. This is illustrated for the upstanding arm 12 in Fig. 2 wherein the planet-gear 27 is shown to have an arc-flange 33 engaging a cam 29 on the rotatable shaft 14. A similar structure is provided for the upstanding arm 11 so that the two arms have the same leaning attitude.

Instead of the planetary system of gears, other means may be employed to maintain the arms 11 and 12 in the upstanding attitude as the support member 8 is rotated. e.g., a parallel governor arrangement.

The operation of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in which are shown the relative positions of the support member, rack member and upstanding arms when a bobbin change is effected. In Fig. 2' the apparatus is shown in its normal winding position with arm 11 in a sufiiciently inclined position to place the bobbin 15 in frictional engagement with the drive roller 17 and thereby wind-up the thread 39. When the bobbin 15 is fully wound and it is desired to replace it with the empty bobbin, the empty bobbin 16 is caused to rotate as shown by the arrow in Fig. 2 at a speed of rotation about 30% greater than that of the drive roller 17. This rotation of the bobbin 16 may be effected by any conventional means such as by momentarily contacting the bobbin 16 with a drive belt (not shown). This drive belt may be powered by the drive roller 17 through a transmission comprising, for example, friction rollers andstep-up gears. The rack member 19 is then given a downward movement by the lever arm 20 causing the. lockreleasing means 21 to release the lock member 18 and then causing the rack 22 to engage the pinion 23 which rotates the support member 8 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. As the support member is rotated, the pivot arms 11 and 12 are maintained in their substantially upstanding leaning attitude. Whenthe full bobbin 15 is approximately beneath the empty bobbin, the empty bobbin 16- is contacted by the thread 30 (Fig. 4). Since the speed of rotation of the empty bobbin 16 is greater than the speed of rotation of the full bobbin 15, the thread 30 begins to curl around the empty bobbin 16 (Fig. When the thread becomes wound on the empty bobbin, the thread tension created breaks the thread between the empty bobbin and the full bobbin (Fig. 6). The support member then continues its rotation until it becomes relocke'd in the lock member 18 and the bobbin 16 becomes frictionally engaged. with the drive roller 17, thus completing the cycle (Fig. 7). To remove the full bobbin from its holder, the upstanding arm is pivoted to position A (Fig. 2) where the fullbobbin is replaced with an empty bobbin without interference from adjoining bobbin structure.

Another feature of the invention includes a brake arm. 31 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is spring-cushioned and pivotally mounted on the machine frameto ease or slow the approach of the bobbin to the Winding position and facilitate the desired thread breakage. The bobbin arm contacts the brake arm at apoint just preceding the winding position. The brake arm 31 may also be used as afeeler during normal winding to measure the inclination of the bobbin arm due to added layers of thread and accordingly adjust the movement of the thread guide (not shown).

A further feature of the invention includes a guide track or strip 32 (Fig. 2) for deflecting the course of. a bobbin around obstructions during a bobbin interchange. The tip of the bobbin arm contacts the guide track at a point just preceding the position of the obstruction.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a machine for winding thread on bobbins, appa ratus for changing the bobbins comprising a support member mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis; a pair of upstanding arms each havin an axis fixed there with and rotatably journalled in opposite ends of the support member, each of said arms being adapted to rotatably support a bobbin; means associated with each axis of said arms, said means providing foroutward manual pivoting of said arms from the upstanding position thereof to a bobbin-removing position; means for rotating the support. member to interchange the bobbin-winding and idle positions of the upstanding arms and bobbins thereon; and means operatively associated with said 2. In a machine for winding thread on bobbins, apparatus for changing the bobbins comprising a support member mounted to rotate about the center thereof on a stationary shaft; a pair of upstanding arms pivotally mounted at opposite extremitieson the support member, each of said arms being adapted to rotatably support a bobbin; meansfor rotating the support member to interchange. the positions of the upstanding arms andbobbins thereon; and a planetary system of. gears. including a sun-gear fixed to said stationary shaft, a pair of planetgears, a pair of intermediate gears, each of the intermediategears being engagingly interposed between thesungear and one of the planet-gears, all of the gears, having an equal number of teeth; and coupling meansbetween each of the planet-gears and an upstanding arm whereby said arms are maintained in the upstandin attitude as said support member is rotated.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for rotating the support member comprises a pivotally mounted rack member with means for the pivoting thereof, and a pinion engaging the rack member and having a free-wheeling association with the support member, said pinionlocking with the support member when the pinion is rotated in one direction, and rotating freely on the support member when-the pinion is rotated in the opposite direction.

4. Ina machine for winding thread on bobbins, apparatus for changing the bobbinscomprising a support membermounted to rotate about the center thereof; a pair of upstanding arms pivotally mounted at opposite ex tremities on thesupport member, each of said armsbeing adapted to rotatably support a bobbin; a lock member holding the support member in a fixed position wherein one of the bobbins is in a thread-winding position; means forrotatingthe support member 180 whereby the p0si= tions of the upstanding arms and bobbins thereon are interchanged, said means for rotating the support member including a pivotally mounted rack member having a lock-releasing means thereon for releasing said lock member and a lever handle for pivoting the-rack mem ber, and a pinion rotatively associated with said support member, the lock member being released by the lockreleasing means and the rack engaging the pinion when.

ing attitude as the support member is rotated.

the rack member is pivoted; and means for maintaining said arms in the upstanding attitude as the support. member is rotated.

5. In an apparatus for changing bobbins on a thread winding machine, a bobbin supporting structure comprise ing a support member mounted to rotate about the center thereof; a pair of arms mounted on rotatable shafts at opposite extremities on the support member, each of said arms being adapted to rotatably support a bobbin, each of said shafts having a cam fixed thereto; and a pair of arc-flanges rotatively associated with the support member by a planetary system of gears, each of. the arcflanges being rotatable on one of said shafts and limiting movement of said cam whereby the arms for the winding operation are maintained against gravitational urging in an upstanding leaning position by one end of the arcfiange and are pivotable to the limiting position of the other end of the arc-flange.

6. A thread-winding machine of the type having a pair of upstanding leaning bobbin arms pivotally mounted at the opposite extremities of a support 7 member mounted to rotate about the center thereof, the position of the bobbin arms being interchangeable while maintaining their upstanding leaning attitude on rotation of said support member, a pivotally-mounted spring-cushioned brake arm for slowing the approach of a bobbin to a Winding position during a bobbin interchange, said bobbin arm contacting the brake arm at a point just preceding the winding position.

7. In anapparatus for changing bobbins on a threadwinding machine of the type having a pair of upstanding leaning bobbin arms pivotally mounted at the opposite 5 extremities of a support member mounted to rotate about the center thereof, the position of the bobbin arms being interchangeable while maintaining their upstanding leaning attitude on rotation of said support member, a guide track in a fixed position for deflecting the course of a bobbin around obstructions during a bobbin interchange, said bobbin arm contacting the guide track at a point just preceding the position of the obstruction.

8. In a machine for winding thread on bobbins, apparatus for changing the bobbins comprising a support member mounted to rotate about the center thereof; means at opposite extremities of the support member for rotatably supporting bobbins thereon; a 1001: member for holding the support member in a fixed position wherein one of the bobbins is in a thread-winding position; means for rotating the support member 180 whereby the positions of said means and the bobbins thereon are interchanged, said means for rotating the support member including a pivotally mounted rack member having a lock-releasing means thereon for releasing said lock member and a lever handle for pivoting the rack member, and a pinion rotatively associated with said support memher, the lock member being released by the lock-relea ing means and the rack engaging the pinion when the rack member is pivoted.

9. In an apparatus for changing bobbins on a threadwinding machine, a support member mounted to rotate about the center thereof; a pair of armsmounted at opposite extremities on the support member, each of said arms having means for rotatably supporting a bobbin; and a pivotally-mounted, spring-cushioned brake arm for slowing the approach of a bobbin to a winding position during a bobbin interchange, said bobbinarm contacting the brake arm at a point just preceding the winding position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,345,900 Stone July 6, 1920 2,060,360 Wood Nov. 10, 1936 2,120,944 Sedgley June 14, 1938 2,150,951 Toole et al. Mar. 21, 1939 

